Javier Ramirez, Spring 2024 O’Brien Distinguished Visiting Professor lecture

4:30 pm public lecture in Vita Nova lecture hall: “Indigeneity and Intercultural Experiences in the Abya Yala”

5:30 pm farewell public reception

Javier Ramírez is a Lenka-Poton on his mother’s side, Nawat-Techoncho on his father’s side and Gabrielino Shoshone by traditional adoption. He is a Nawat-Lenka Traditional Fire Carrier and worked with several communities around the greater Los Angeles area to disseminate indigenous ancestral knowledge. Holder of two master’s degrees from California State University, Los Angeles, Mr. Ramirez earned an MA in Latin American Studies with focus in history and political science of the region, and another MA in Anthropology with an emphasis in Indigenous diaspora and immigration process of Central Americans. He has taught as adjunct faculty in Latin American Studies and Chicano Studies programs.

Mr. Ramirez is a consultant with Anahuacalmecac International University Preparatory School of North America (AIUP), the only Indigenous, community-based K-12 school in Los Angeles, working on the revitalization of the Gabrielino language; and educational consultant for the Mental Health Technology Transfer Center Network/Universidad del Caribe, where he develops and implements recommendations and strategies to work with various migrant Indigenous communities from Latin America living in the USA.  Mr. Ramirez is the founder member of the Consejo Ancestral Torogoz (Torogoz Ancestral Council) which teaches traditional Nawat Lenka knowledge to those who are interested to connect with their deeper roots. He was for several years Founder and Lecturer for the Kuxkatan Indigenous Collective, and was Founder and Director of the Educational Program at Guinama Calmecac/ People’s School in Hollywood, CA.

Currently he is a member of the Gabrielino Shoshone Nation of Southern California Tribal Council and Spiritual Leader of the tribe.